After 69 years of service to the community, the parishioners of Holy Cross moved on and into a new church on South Alston Ave. The church has a history that is rich in heritage. From its humble beginning in the back room of a local dentist in Hayti, to a small stone church on land soon to be enveloped by North Carolina Central University, it has been the focal point for the African-American Catholic community of Durham and surrounding areas.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, accepted the keys from the builder and led the congregation and friends of the community into the new church. The church was dedicated, the altar and walls anointed, and the altar was dressed for mass. The lights officially came on and the church began its life of service to the parish.

This is one beautiful, elegant church. Words do not do it justice. You just have to stop by one Sunday for mass. Each church congregation adds its own unique spice and flavor to the mass. This congregation brings joy and exhuberance to the mass. You will not sit through singing and hymns and Psalms without a sense joy of uplifting of spirit. Don’t be surprised to hear the people clap and stand up to join in with the choir. This is a church that truly rejoices in His song.

The bishop was very proud of the church and it was easy to see why. Although it is a beautiful building, the people within make it a church.http://www.youtube.com/get_player

On Sunday, December 9th, a mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe was held at St. Thomas More Church. This began the week of celebrations leading up to the feast day, December 12th. The Assembly provided a small honor guard to escort the icon into the sanctuary and from the church to the school gym by way of Carmichael Road. After the procession, the parishioners gathered for a fiesta.

The procession was led by drummers and Aztec dancers. The dancers danced non-stop from the church to the gym and kept dancing for about a half hour in front of the gym. There were one or two dancers in their bare feet and on asphalt.

Many thanks to Gil Montoya, Bob Troy, Pete Marino, and Chris Flanagan for helping make the honor guard a reality. It was an honor for us to participate and we look forward to working closer with our Spanish-speaking parishioners as they celebrate mass and bring their culture to our community.
http://www.youtube.com/get_player